Researchers test ethephon to delay cherry blossoms and avoid frost damage
A study from the University of Göttingen found that applying ethephon in fall can postpone flowering in specific sweet cherry varieties grown in Lower Saxony, Germany.
Treatment effectiveness varies by variety
The research team treated trees with two different concentrations of the plant growth regulator during early or late fall. In the Kordia sweet cherry variety, high-dose early-fall treatment reduced blooming to 56 percent compared to 88 percent on untreated trees. Low-dose late-fall application resulted in 63 percent of buds being in bloom for that same cultivar.
Other crops showed no delay
The study included two apple varieties and a second sweet cherry type alongside the Kordia trees. Researchers observed that the chemical treatment did not significantly delay flowering in those other plants. This outcome highlights the necessity of selecting specific crop types and cultivars for this method.
Monitoring occurred during spring 2024
Scientists recorded the flowering stage repeatedly on marked branches within commercial orchards throughout the spring season. They counted around thirty flower buds per branch for cherries and fifteen for apples to track development. The data was collected while monitoring fruit growth alongside the timing of the blossoms.
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